Ask us about Vietnam
#152
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Glad you enjoyed it.
Just for anyone browsing in the future, I add up 88's costs and, assuming the bus back was similar and a basic taxi ride, put the cost at just over 1 million vnd for 2 people. So that's the price to beat if you're comparing tours with a dyi day-trip to Cat Ba island.
Just for anyone browsing in the future, I add up 88's costs and, assuming the bus back was similar and a basic taxi ride, put the cost at just over 1 million vnd for 2 people. So that's the price to beat if you're comparing tours with a dyi day-trip to Cat Ba island.
#153
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 609
We took the ferry there and straight back.
@maverick17. Your price is about right. Again we had a good time but glad to be flying out tomorrow. I didnt understand how the bus can take 4-5 hours to go 84 miles but between picking passengers up, picking packages up, stopping for a break, the constant slamming on brakes, and honking a horn that sounds like an 18 wheeler, and driving on the other side of the yellow and swerving just in time, I think its a one and done experience for us. Glad to say weve been here though.
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Sydney Australia
Programs: No programs & No Points!!!
Posts: 14,203
#156
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: St. Paul, MN
Programs: Walmart Super Elite
Posts: 727
e-visa hassles from US airlines?
Flying AA from LAX, connecting in NRT to JAL destined for HAN. Has anyone heard horror stories about the AA counter folks or gate agents not recognizing the print-out from an eVisa application for a US citizen, and instead insisting on seeing something intended for affixing to the passport? I'm not sure how long eVisa has been in widespread use, and wondering if I should expect some delay at the counter.
#157
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: EWR, SLC, SGN
Posts: 1,113
Flying AA from LAX, connecting in NRT to JAL destined for HAN. Has anyone heard horror stories about the AA counter folks or gate agents not recognizing the print-out from an eVisa application for a US citizen, and instead insisting on seeing something intended for affixing to the passport? I'm not sure how long eVisa has been in widespread use, and wondering if I should expect some delay at the counter.
#158
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Omaha
Posts: 1,674
Flying AA from LAX, connecting in NRT to JAL destined for HAN. Has anyone heard horror stories about the AA counter folks or gate agents not recognizing the print-out from an eVisa application for a US citizen, and instead insisting on seeing something intended for affixing to the passport? I'm not sure how long eVisa has been in widespread use, and wondering if I should expect some delay at the counter.
#159
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ, NYC
Programs: Marriott Gold, JGC, IHG Platinum, Hilton Gold, AC 25K
Posts: 1,024
Does HAN airport allow overnight luggage check through to destination? I will have visa in any case but want to manage expectation
I have JL NRT-HAN arriving 10pm then CX HAN-HKG next day, on separate tickets. If I manage to get the JL agent to check luggage through on CX and print boarding pass, I'm assuming I just need to go to the transfer security without paging CX agent after arrival right (is there hours of operation at HAN for the transfer desk?)
If I can't get the boarding pass of CX flight at NRT, will it be ok to still check luggage thru and pass immigration and stay at airport until CX desk opens and check-in regularly?
I have JL NRT-HAN arriving 10pm then CX HAN-HKG next day, on separate tickets. If I manage to get the JL agent to check luggage through on CX and print boarding pass, I'm assuming I just need to go to the transfer security without paging CX agent after arrival right (is there hours of operation at HAN for the transfer desk?)
If I can't get the boarding pass of CX flight at NRT, will it be ok to still check luggage thru and pass immigration and stay at airport until CX desk opens and check-in regularly?
#160
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: St. Paul, MN
Programs: Walmart Super Elite
Posts: 727
At major airports with lots of traffic to VN I wouldn't think they'll bat an eye. I had a delay once with VOA in Sapporo with BR. Outports like that with little use for the visas might have a small delay. As always ymmv, but major airports should normally experience no problem nowadays.
#163
Original Member, Ambassador: External Miles and Points Resources
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Digital Nomad Wandering the Earth - Currently in PALMYRA, PA, USA
Posts: 58,510
#164
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Austin TX
Programs: AA EXEP 2MM, Delta Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Avis President Club, Marriot gold,Emerald Exec,
Posts: 413
Hello Experts ..Looking some advice/suggestions ...I am traveling first time to Hanoi from HKG (doing a weekend trip to Hanoi) and I have don't many hours between flight back. I arrive at 9:30 am Sat and leave Sunday night around 8:00 pm. I have following questions
1) Where is the best place to stay if I need to cover the tourist spot. I am Hilton guy and wanted to use the points for Stay but open to other suggestions
2) What is best way get Airport to Hotel (presently having booking at Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi around 40 min away from airport)? Is airport taxi safe and reliable ? or should I book Expedia airport pickup/return package ?
3) What can I cover on Sat after lunch and evening?
4) What is best preferred way? Bus ride or do we have train ? should I stay Sat night in Hai Phong or Cat Ba or Ha Long bay area and try to catch morning tour and start back around 3 pm to Airport or its too risky and just back in Hanio city and do Hanio tour?
5) What are other City Tour options for Sunday until 5 pm.
1) Where is the best place to stay if I need to cover the tourist spot. I am Hilton guy and wanted to use the points for Stay but open to other suggestions
2) What is best way get Airport to Hotel (presently having booking at Hilton Garden Inn Hanoi around 40 min away from airport)? Is airport taxi safe and reliable ? or should I book Expedia airport pickup/return package ?
3) What can I cover on Sat after lunch and evening?
4) What is best preferred way? Bus ride or do we have train ? should I stay Sat night in Hai Phong or Cat Ba or Ha Long bay area and try to catch morning tour and start back around 3 pm to Airport or its too risky and just back in Hanio city and do Hanio tour?
5) What are other City Tour options for Sunday until 5 pm.
#165
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,707
Outside at the taxi rank, I was quoted VND 150,000 - which was later reduced to VND 120,000
Got a Grab (at around 5 PM) and was quoted VND 100,000 - driver demanded another VND 10,000 for the airport pickup.
I hope this information (along with kokonutz's very helpful response upthread) will be of some use to others.